Packages

ABSTRACT

A package having a bottom receptacle portion and an openable cover fitting over the bottom portion and extending downwardly along the sidewalls of the bottom portion. One of the side walls of the cover has a cut-out portion providing a window therein. A card having a fold-line dividing the card into two panels is positioned between the cover and the bottom receptacle portion so that one panel extends into the receptacle portion of the box while the other extends downwardly between the sidewall of the receptacle portion and the windowed sidewall of the cover so that indicia appearing on the second panel is exposed through the window.

United States Patent Sheldon 1 Sept. 12, 1972 [54] PACKAGES 1,241,842 8/1960 France ..40/312 [72] Inventor: A. L Sheldon c/o Sheldons Inc 93,153 12/1958 Norway ..206/45.3l P.O. B 508, A ti W' 54409 ox n go ls Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair Filed! 1970 Assistant Examiner-John M. Caskie App]. No.: 92,020

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS I 4/1962 Great Britain ...206l45.31

Attorney-Joseph G. Werner, Theodore J. Long, John M. Winter and James A. Kemmeter [5 7] ABSTRACT A package having a bottom receptacle portion and an openable cover fitting over the bottom portion and extending downwardly along the sidewalls of the bottom portion. One of the side walls of the cover has a cutout portion providing a window therein. A card having a fold-line dividing the card into two panels is positioned between the cover and the bottom receptacle portion so that one panel extends into the receptacle portion of the box while the other extends downwardly between the sidewall of the receptacle portion and the windowed sidewall of the cover so that indicia appearing on the second panel is exposed through the window.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3,690,450

SHEET 1 [IF 2 15 mm WNW WW n D *HIIW @l h I: I 13c 12 INVENTOR;

Fi 3 A. L. SHELDON ATTORNEY PATENTED8EP12|B72 3.690 450 SHEET 2 OF 2 I INVENTOR: 16c 12 AL. SHELDON Fig. 6 ATTORNEY f PACKAGES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to the field of packaging and more specifically to a unique combination of box and display, identification and reorder card.

2. Description of the Prior Art.

The problem of marking containers such as boxes with distributors stock numbers and product identification numbers and making the numbers conveniently and readily available to the merchant for accurately reordering depleted or about to be depleted stock has long plagued manufacturers and distributors.

The problem is particularly prevalent where the product is removed from its shipping box by the retailer for display and sale. Typical of that type of product are those which are now commonly hung on pegs or hooks for display.

In the past, the distributors stock number has generally been printed or stamped on the container in which a number of the items are sent to the retail outlet. When the items are removed from the shipping box for display by the retailer, the boxes usually are discarded. Thus, when the stock is sold out or nearly so, and the retailer desires to replenish his stock, the reorder or distributors stock number and other necessary information may not be readily available to him. He often has to shuffle through his old invoices in search of the distributors stock number, and then even if he finds the invoice, he may not be sure that it is actually the stock number of the item in question, particularly when there are several models or similar items in his line of goods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My invention comprises a new combination of shipping box and sales display and reorder card which reduces the printing costs by eliminating the need for printing on the side of the shipping box. Further, my unique combination expedites the reordering of depleted stock without error, even by inexperienced personnel.

Basically, the invention comprises a shipping box having a receptacle portion and a cover portion fitting over the bottom in the well-known fashion. The cover has a cut-out portion in one side providing a window for a folded card which extends from inside the receptacle portion of the box over the edge of the side of the receptacle portion and downwardly across the window. That portion of the folded card which is exposed through the window carries desired indicia such as the distributors stock number for reordering and other necessary information for use by the manufacturer, distributor and retailer.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing two embodiments exemplifying the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the box and card combination forming a package embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation view showing the relationship of the elements of the closed package of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the package shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing a box and card combination forming a package exemplifying a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG.-5 is a sectional side elevation view showing the relationship of the elements of the closed package in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the package shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, a first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1-3 and a second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4-6. The bottom receptacle portion 10 and cover 11 shown are identical in both embodiments and form a generally rectangular box, other shapes of course,'may be provided without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

The receptacle portion of the box has a rectangular bottom panel 10a and four upright sidewalls 10b, 10c, 10d, and We. The cover has a top panel 11a and four depending sidewalls 11b, 11c, 11d, and lle. The cover is slightly larger than the bottom so as to fit over the bottom in the well-known manner. The front sidewall 11b of the cover has a cut-out portion 12 providing a window therein.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1-3, a card 13 is provided having a fold-line 13a dividing the card into a display panel 13b and an information panel 130.

'As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display panel 13b carries the items 14 to be displayed for sale, in this case fishing lures. The second panel carries on it the necessary information for expeditious handling of the goods by the manufacture, distributor and retailer, such as the-distributors stock number stamp shown for example at 15 in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The package is formed by placing the product carrying display panel 13b in the receptacle portion of the box and folding the information panel 130 downwardly along fold-line 13a. The cover is then placed on to close the box and hold the information panel parallel to the adjacent sidewall l0b'of the box while exposing the indicia on the information panel through the cut-out window 12 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

When the items are to be displayed for sale by the retailer, the card 13 is removed from the box and the information panel 130 folded backwardly against the back side of the display panel 13b and the card is then hung on a peg in the usual manner. As the items are sold, the retailer may then refer to the'back of the card to obtain the information for placing a reorder with the distributor.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, the receptacle portion 10 and the cover 11 of the box are identical to those shown in FIGS. 1-3. In this second embodiment however, the card 16 is somewhat different from the display card 13 of the first embodiment. While card 13 is preferably used where a number of items are attached to the card for display by the A. an opaque shipping box for articles, said box havretailer, card 16 may be used where the items to be sold ing are displayed individually such as by hanging one bei. a bottom receptacle portion having upright hind the other on a peg or hanger. In this case, the card sidewalls, a 16 again is a two-panel card divided by a fold line 16a, 5 2. a cover fitting over said receptacle portion and however, the first panel 16b may carry instructions to having sidewalls extending downwardly along the retailer such as, for example: This card has the the i w l Oflhc receptacle P and stock number of the merchandise in this box. Put it on 3- One Of the sidewalls Of Said cover having a cuthe peg before hanging the merchandise for sale and {out Portion Pl'0Vidin8aWil'ldW,8nd use it for reordering. B. a card having a fold and separating line extending The second panel 16c, like the panel 13c of card 13, thereacross dividing said card into an article discarries the necessary information such as stock and reordering numbers shown at 17 in FIGS. 4 and 6 and other information for use by the manufacturer, disreorder panel, 1. said article display panel of said card extending play panel and a juxapositioned removable stock tributor and retailer.

into the receptacle portion of said box, said articles being attached to said. display panel for displaying said articles separate from said shipping box,

. the fold and separating line of said card extendsaid stock reorder panel of said card extending downwardly from said fold and separating line herein illustrated and described for exemplification,

between said one sidewall of the receptacle porbut embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope ofthe fonowing claims tron and the windowed sidewall of said cover I l i and being exposed through said window. 1. A package comprising: a: a :r a 

1. A package comprising: A. an opaque shipping box for articles, said box having
 1. a bottom receptacle portion having upright sidewalls,
 2. a cover fitting over said receptacle portion and having sidewalls extending downwardly along the sidewalls of the receptacle portion, and
 3. one of the sidewalls of said cover having a cutout portion providing a window, and B. a card having a fold and separating line extending thereacross dividing said card into an article display panel and a juxapositioned removable stock reorder panel,
 1. said article display panel of said card extending into the receptacle portion of said box, said articles being attached to said display panel for displaying said articles separate from said shipping box,
 2. the fold and separating line of said card extending along and over the top of one sidewall of said receptacle portion, and
 3. said stock reorder panel of said card extending downwardly from said fold and separating line between said one sidewall of the receptacle portion and the windowed sidewall of said cover and being exposed through said window.
 2. a cover fitting over said receptacle portion and having sidewalls extending downwardly along the sidewalls of the receptacle portion, and
 2. the fold and separating line of said card extending along and over the top of one sidewall of said receptacle portion, and
 3. said stock reorder panel of said card extending downwardly from said fold and separating line between said one sidewall of the receptacle portion and the windowed sidewall of said cover and being exposed through said window.
 3. one of the sidewalls of said cover having a cutout portion providing a window, and B. a card having a fold and separating line extending thereacross dividing said card into an article display panel and a juxapositioned removable stock reorder panel, 